Big blow as United lose Eriksen until May
MANCHESTER United midfielder Christian Eriksen is likely to be ruled out until early May by an ankle injury he suffered in the FA Cup win over Reading, the club said yesterday.
Eriksen left Old Trafford on crutches on Saturday after being caught by Reading striker Andy Carroll in their fourth-round tie.
The loss of the 30-year-old Danish playmaker is a blow for United, who lie fourth in the Premier League and in the Champions League qualification places after a good run of form that only ended with the 3-2 defeat by leaders Arsenal on January 22.
United said in a statement: “Christian Eriksen is expected to be out of action for an extended period because of an ankle injury sustained in our FA Cup victory over Reading on Saturday. While investigations are continuing, initial assessments indicate that Eriksen is likely to be out until late April or early May.”
United said “there is hope that Christian can return in time to play a role in the final stages of the campaign”.
Meanwhile, David Moyes cannot wait to take on his former club Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio sealed West Ham United’s 2-0 victory at third-tier Derby County on Monday.
Bowen put West Ham ahead early in the first half, and Antonio doubled the lead soon after the interval in the fourth round tie.
Moyes’ side will head to Old Trafford in late February as they continue their bid to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 2006.
It will be Moyes’ latest return to United, who sacked the Scotsman in 2014 only 10 months after he succeeded Alex Ferguson.
“I’m really looking forward to the game. It’s a really good game for us,” Moyes said.
“Maybe at the moment that’s the game we need, because we’ve got players who want to play on the big stage.
“There’s nothing bigger than Old Trafford, so I’m saying to the players, ‘Come on, let’s go and take it on and challenge them’.”
Avoiding an embarrassing defeat against Derby was essential for the under-fire Moyes, but it is Premier League survival that remains his top priority.
The Hammers are languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
“This was a difficult game because Derby had gone 16 unbeaten. In the end, we did a pretty professional job on them,” Moyes said.
Moyes made six changes following West Ham’s vital 2-0 victory over Premier League relegation rivals Everton in their most recent match nine days ago.
Despite the selection gamble, West Ham proved too strong for a Derby side on the up after a turbulent period.
West Ham’s victory came just hours after the last-16 draw was made.
Wrexham will host Tottenham Hotspur if the non-league side can beat Sheffield United in a fourth round replay.
Fifth-tier Wrexham, who are owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, were seconds away from a shock win against Sheffield United on Sunday before the Championship side snatched a 3-3 draw.
With Reynolds watching at the Racecourse Ground, John Egan scored a late equaliser for United and the teams meet again at Bramall Lane for the right to face Tottenham.
Manchester City, 1-0 winners over Arsenal on Friday, go to secondtier Bristol for the first meeting of the sides since the League Cup semifinals in 2018.
Brighton go to second-tier Stoke after knocking out holders Liverpool on Sunday.